clitellum
[ klahy-tel-uh m ]
/ klaɪˈtɛl əm /
noun, plural cli·tel·la [klahy-tel-uh] /klaɪˈtɛl ə/.
a ring or saddle-shaped region of glandular tissue in the body wall of certain annelids, as earthworms and some leeches, that after copulation secretes a cocoon in which the eggs and sperm are deposited for fertilization and development.
Nearby words
clistocarp, clistocarpous, clistothecium, clit, clite, clitellum, clithral, clithrophobia, clitic, cliticize, clitoridectomy
Origin of clitellum
1830–40; < New Latin, neuter noun based on Latin clītellae packsaddle
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for clitella
clitellum
/ (klɪˈtɛləm) /
noun plural -la (-lə)
a thickened saddle-like region of epidermis in earthworms and leeches whose secretions bind copulating worms together and later form a cocoon around the eggs
Word Origin for clitellum
C19: from New Latin, from Latin clītellae (plural) packsaddle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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